Means for controlling wells



Jan. 7, 1936. J MlNA'HAN 2,026,844

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING` WELLS Filed May 26, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet' 1 \v Q v, v, v

Q* 'l/ L' Zz 0 l v Il, '-1 l Z Ell l r 9 3 fg, i'f/ J. L. MINAHAN MEANSy FOR coNTRoLLING WELLS Fild May 2s, 1934 Jan. 7, 1936. 2,026,844

4 sheets-sheet 2 31a/venten /KZ Jamf L. Mina/xsf Filed May 26, 1954 4 sheets-sheet :s

WIIIUHUM Jan. 7, 1936.` J. l.. MINAHAN 2,025,844

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING WELLS Filed May 26, 1934 4 sheets-sheet 4 Jamef ./...Minaan Patented Jan. 7, 1936 y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in means for controlling] wells.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved well controlling device which may be installed as a blowout preventer, said device being constructed of non-abrasive material and having a weight substantially or nearly equal to the total working pressure in pounds of the well iow to be controlled.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved well controlling device which is arranged to be placed over the well-hole, and which is constructed of non-abrasive material, said device providing a control head system, thereby eliminating the usual abrasive Christmas tree connections, etc.

A11 important object of the invention is to.

provide an improved means for positively controlling an oil or gas well which is running wild.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for extinguishing the flame of a wild-burning well, and at the same time control production, whereby a minimum loss of the well fluid is sustained.

An important object of the invention is to provide a well controlling device, the weight of which issubstantially or nearly equal to the total working pressure in pounds of the well flow to be controlled, whereby when said device is placed over the well, the pressure of said well ow isinsuilcient to displace the same.

Still another object of the invention is to'provide an improved well controlling device having a passage therethrough, said device being arranged to be placed over an oil or gas well, the passage registering with the well-hole, said-device having means for positively cutting oi the ilowof oil or from a reading of the following specication and 'by reference'to the accompanying drawings, in

which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein: f

Figure 1 is an elevation of 'a' well controller the constructed in accordance with the invention and positioned over a well,

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the controller, partly in elevation and partly in section,

Figure 3 is a plan view of the same,

Figure 4 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section and taken at right angles to Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view of the control plate `mounting,

Figure 6 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view of the same, taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5,

of concrete. By making the body of concrete, 25

said body is notonly heat resisting and reproof but is also non-abrasive. A central vertical passage or bore Il extends through'the body and when the body is positioned over a well, as will hereinafter be explained, said bore registers with 30 the well-bore. The upper end of the bore has an internally screw-threaded collar ll' molded into its upper end and the lower end of the bore is ar'ed at I2 as shown in Figure 2.

The body l0 is constructed particularly for the a5 well on which it is to be used and the weight oi said body is an important feature of the invention. The weight of the body is substantially or nearly equal to the total working pressure in pounds of the well on whichthe body is to be*o placed. It is essential that the body be this heavy, at least, but it is possible to makethe same heavier if desired. Thus, when the body is placed over the well, (Figure l) the pressure of lsaid well is insuftcient to move the same. As has been explained, the bore Il registers with the well hole and in the case of an oil well running wild, the oil will shoot upwardly through the bore. V

escape of oil therethrough after the body is in position over the hole, a pair of control plates Il are provided. The plates are positioned one on each side of the bore at approximately midheight of tlie'body and are mounted to slide horizonu Figure 7 is a transverse, vertical sectional view,

For effectively closing the bore and preventing with a packer 26 whereby leakage of lubricating within the easement.

tally across said bore. The mounting of each control plate is identical and a description of one will suffice. Each plate is mounted to slide horizontally within a casement I4 (Figures 5, 6, and 7). The easement is rectangular in cross-section and is molded within the concrete body being reinforced and braced therein by reinforcing bolts I5.

The easement is considerably longer than the plate and a worm screw I6 is mounted to travel forwardly from right to left, (Figures 5 and 6) The forward end of the screw is rigidly mounted in the rear of the plate so that lateral movement of the screw will move the plate forwardly and backwardly in a horizontal plane, (Figure 5).

For imparting movement to the screw, an enlarged gear I1 is mounted in the casement behind the plate I3. The gear I1 is in constant engagement with a pinion I8 mounted on the lower end of a vertical shaft I9 which extends through the upper end of the body. The shaft is rotatable within a suitable casing 20 and the pinion is housed within an upwardly extending section I2' of the casement I2. The upper end of the shaft extends through a suitable beari box 2I and a handle 22 has connection with the shaft through a universal joint 23. It is obvious that the operator can readily rotate the shaft I9 which in turn, will mover the worm screw I6 through the medium of the gears II and I8, and move the control plate. The screw is held against rotation by a'lug I 6' depending from said screw and engaging in a guide slot which extends laterally beneath said screw. Drain pipes 24 connected with the bottom of the easement carry off excess lubricating oil or dirt which may accumulate in said easement.

When the worm screw is moved the plate I3` is moved inwardly within the bore I I of the body.

Since the plates are opposite each other, eachv plate moves inwardly so as to cover one half of the bore, whereby when both plates are at their extreme inward position, the bore is closed oi. It is clear when the plates are within the bore, they will become covered with oil, dirt and the like. For cleaning the plates as they are retracted from the bore, a cleaner 25 is provided for eachvplate. 'I'he cleaner is mounted at the inner end of the easement and may be combined oil from the casexnent or leakage' of gas or oil from well hole are prevented.

The cleaner and packer casing may be made integral with the inner end of the easement I4, as shown, and said cleaner and packer extend completely around the lcontrol plate (Figure '7). As the plate is retracted, it will be wiped free of any dirt or accumulation by said cleaner.

In using the device described for controlling an oil well which is running wild, the body I is constructed as described, the weight of said body being substantially equal to the total working pressure in pounds of the well. The body is then lowered over the well, by a hoist or other means (not shown). Suitable handles 21 are molded in the tcp of the body for this purpose. The control plates are retracted at this time, and

- the bore is open. The bore is registered with `the well hole and the oil or gas rushes upwardly with a pair of inclined vertical passages 29 which have check valves 30 mounted therein. Water and mud, or other material may be pumped downwardly through the passages, and serves to diminish the pressure to a certain extent.

The control plates are then slid to close the bore and the oil or gas coming out of the well will strike the plates and fall downwardly, thereby cutting 0E its escape. Since the weight of the body is greater than the pressure of the well, the body cannot be dislodged and will elfectively control the well. With the well under control the control plates may be retracted and a casing head or other apparatus (not shown) screwed into the collar II at the upper end of the bore and the oil taken from the well in the usual way. The device may also be used on the usual well as a blowout preventer or control head system. When used as such, the body I0 is lowered over the well and the oil is withdrawn from the well through the bore II of said body. If the device is used as a blowout preventer a pair of control plates I3 (Fig. 10) are substituted for the plates I3. Each plate I3' has a semicircular cut-out portion I 4' which engages around the drill stem (not shown) which passes downwardly through the body. It is pointed out that the cut-out I 4' may be made of any desired size depending on the size of the pipe passing downwardly into the well hole.

If an uncontrolled well is on re, the device is used similarly to when the well is running wild, the body being lowered into the crater caused by the fire (Fig. 1), and it is clear that the concrete being fireproof will not be affected. Further, concrete is non-abrasive and the oil, and sand carried therewith, rushing upwardly within the bore II will not affect the walls of the same.

In Figure 9, I have shown another form of the invention. The construction is the same except that the bore is provided with an expansion o chamber 3I above the control plates. A cut-olf valve 3l is mounted in the collar at the top of the bore. As the oil rushes upwardly, with the control plates retracted, said oil strikes the chamber. 'Ihe suddeii expansion reduces the 5 pressure and the oil then escapes through horlzontal outlet pipes 32 extending to the outside of the body I0. In this form a flared nipple 33 is provided at'the bottom of the bore to permit the body to be attached to the upper end of the well50 casing. Although, throughout the description, I have described the device as used on an oil well, it is obvious that the body Il) will effectively control gas, mineral, and other wells and the invention is not to be limited to oil wells. l

The description which has been given recites more or less detail of a particular embodiment of the invention, which is set forth as new and useful; however, I desire it understood that the invention is not limited to such exact details of construction, because it is manifest that changes and modications may be made, Within the scope ofthe appended claims, without,i departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I. .claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent-is: f

1. A well ow controlling device' comprising, a body having suilicient weight to hold it in place at the top of the well against the owing pressure thereof and having a. central vertical passage therethrough for the well uid, and means in the body for closing off said passage, the body having additional passages for conducting a fluid through said body into the well for diminishing the pressure of the well fluid. 15

2. A well ow controlling devicecomprising, a nonabrasive body having sufficient weight to hold it in place at the top of the well against the owing pressure of said well and havinga vertical passage therethrough, and slidableY control plates in the body for closing said passage, the body having additional passages for conducting a fluid through the body into the well for diminishing the pressure of the well. v

3. A well ilow controlling device comprising, a body having suicient weight to hold it in place at the top of the well against the flowing pressure thereof 'and having a passage therethrough for the well uid, slidable control plates in the bow for closing of! said passaga and means for sliding said control plates, the body having additional passages for conducting a iluid through the body into the well for diminishing the pressure oi' said well.

4. VA well flow controlling device comprising, a 5

body having sulcient weight to hold it in place at the top of the well against the owing pressure thereof and having a passage therethrough for the well fluid, slidable control plates in the body for closing oi said passage, a traveling worm 10 screw connected to each control plate, gears connected with said worm screw and means at the top of the body for operating said gears to slide the plates.

JAMES Ll MINAHAN. 

